Lemon Meringue Dessert Squares

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1 package pudding-included yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 dash salt
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 4 egg yolks, slightly beaten (reserve whites for meringue)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons grated lemons, rind of
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 4 egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup sugar

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 350°f.
• 2 grease 13x9-inch pan.
• 3 in large bowl, combine cake mix, 1/2 cup butter and egg.
• 4 mix at low speed until crumbly.
• 5 press mixture in bottom of greased pan.
• 6 in medium saucepan, combine 1 1/3 cups sugar, cornstarch and salt.
• 7 gradually stir in water; blend until smooth.
• 8 cook over medium heat until mixture boils, stirring constantly.
• 9 remove from heat.
• 10 stir about 1/2 cup of the hot mixture into the egg yolks; return egg mixture to saucepan.
• 11 cook until mixture is bubbly.
• 12 (mixture will be very thick.) remove from heat; stir in 2 tablespoons butter, lemon peel and lemon juice.
• 13 pour filling over crust.
• 14 in small bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar at medium speed until soft peaks form, about 1 minute.
• 15 add 1/2 cup sugar (1 tablespoon at a time) beating at high speed until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved.
• 16 spread meringue over hot filling.
• 17 bake at 350°f for 25 to 30 minutes or until meringue is golden brown.
• 18 cool 1 hour.
• 19 refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
• 20 cut into squares.
• 21 hint: to cut perfect slices of meringue desserts, dip knife in water before cutting.
• 22 after each cut, wipe knife clean and dip it in water again.